Snake handling: A good Christian witness?

“Snake Salvation” will debut September 10 on the National Geographic Channel. The reality series will feature two churches, one in Tennessee and the other in Kentucky, which handle snakes as part of their worship services. Sixteen episodes are planned so far. Titles include “Casting out Demons,” “Bitten in Church” and “Venom in the Vein.” One of the pastors says the show will demonstrate the power faith can have in our lives: “If one person sees it and it converts them or causes them to go to church, then it will be worth it.”

According to The Christian Post, there may be as many as 1,000 serpent-handling Christians from about 125 churches scattered throughout Appalachia. One pastor explained: “My job as pastor is to kindly keep myself and my flock in line, and to do what we feel is right according to the word of God. To me it’s as much a commandment from God when He said ‘they shall take up serpents,’ as it was when he said ‘thou shalt not commit adultery.'”